04 January 2008

"The issue stems from an inquiry to the township from Walker civil engineering and architectural design firm Paradigm Design on behalf of an unnamed resident for a site in the vicinity of Ada Christian School.

Township Planner Jim Ferro said Amway Corp. headquarters on East Fulton Street already uses helicopters, and other areas in the township have been host to helicopter take-offs and landings.

He said Amway helicopters likely would be grandfathered into any rules established.

'You could make the case that it's legal now because our zoning ordinance is silent on it,' he said.

It is expected the proposed regulations would allow heliports by special permit in certain districts, and would include minimum acreage and mandatory distances from occupied structures on adjacent properties. Hours-of-use restrictions are also expected."